In October 2021, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) detectives assigned to the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit, commenced an investigation into the sexual exploitation of children on the internet.
In the morning hours of June 23rd, 2022, after receiving judicial authorization, detectives executed a search warrant at a residential address located in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
As a result, Chad William RANSOME (41 years) of Niagara on the Lake was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
Unlawful Possession of Child Pornography Unlawful Access of Child Pornography
RANSOME has been held in custody pending a bail hearing that is scheduled to occur on June 23rd, 2022, via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street, in the City of St. Catharines.
The Niagara Regional Police Service is a member of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet and conducts investigations into Internet Child Exploitation Offences in partnership with numerous Ontario Police Services. This investigative initiative has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension #1009384.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.
Incident #21-117833